Memories of The Monster Man

Job 3:25 "For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, And what I dreaded has happened to me."
You begin to question your sanity when you find yourself walking down a lonely, snow laden road, being rained on at 1am AND carrying a fishing net....... a story of tragedy, devastation and hope, but one I will never tell.

And the washing machine saga continues. Thanks all for your encouragement and comments. My dear husband hauled out the old washer and drier today!! Tomorrow he is making the drive to the big city to pick them up!! I will most definitely be blogging about this occasion SOON :-) (followed by doing infinite loads of backed up awaiting laundry).........................

Did I ever tell you the story about the time I drove cross country into a place I'd never been before? It is a state called Oregon. My husband and his team of fire fighters were on a job down on the Oregon/California border. I was in my late 20's and hadn't yet gotten eye glasses. This would not be a problem, except that I could not see - especially at night. There is this uncontrolable force in me that drives me to my husband. I can't explain it. It doesn't matter where he is on the face of the earth. Once the switch flips, I have to get to him no matter what the circumstances are and I will fight hells fury to do it. Its happened to me several times now. Mostly we've always been together, but when we're apart I can only go so long before my mind loses all reason and I've got to find him.

In this particular case, he'd agreed for me to come down and stay as it looked to be a long job. I had begun driving early that morning but I couldn't stop. I just couldn't. I had to get to him. Reason left me as a sleepy, zombie like state emerged. It was dark, very dark. I followed the main highways, which was fine, except that I couldn't read any of the road signs. Our oldest son, The Archer, was just a young lad, about 9 or 10, but he was the only one in the car who could read signs. He'd drift off to sleep and then I'd shake him in the passenger seat wildly begging him to read the upcoming sign. This went on for the next several hours. It was rather unnerving for both of us. I literally couldn't have found my way had it not been for his good eyes. Reason told me to get a motel and drive on the next day, but that inner switch had been flipped and i had to get to my husband.

The further on we drove through darkness, the more unfamiliar the terrain became. It felt creepy.... alone with 3 kids and a dog..... I glanced down at the gas gauge and it read empty. Fear struck me to the core. I couldn't be stranded out here, I just couldn't be. I began to look for the next town that would come along, pulling over and shining my lights to see the how far signs said. I was afraid of being stranded in this creepy dark country and I prayed I could make it to an open gas station. I felt so relieved, yet scared when I got to a dimly lit town. I began to think of scary movies I'd seen. My mind began reeling. Suddenly Silence of the Lambs, Jason and Freddy Kruger were lurking about every dark corner. I saw a dimly lit gas station with "open" on it. A gigantic beast of a man sat outside with folded arms. He was wearing brown coveralls and his head was down. I guessed him to be some drifter hitching rides, or maybe a crazed psychopath. I hoped he wouldn't wake up. It was 2 or 3am and the entire town was deserted. Goosebumps formed on my arms as I pulled up the gas pump. I would have kept on driving, but the empty sign was lit up. Hesitantly, I unlocked the door and started to get out. The children were all fast asleep. That's when terror struck me and my blood ran cold! The monstrous hulk of a man was awake and coming toward me! I was standing outside by now opening the gas door. The man was now almost an arms distance away and picking up the gas nozzle!! What did this man want?!?! Did he think if he pumped my gas that I would give him money or was it a ploy to grab me or my kids? Was he trying to steal the car? His giant shadow loomed up in the darkness against the pump and I jumped into my vehicle shaking so bad it took seconds to lock the door. Then I started up the engine and drove wildly, jumping the curve! I could hear him yelling loudly "You crazy b****!" as I screeched the tires across the cement. Jumping the curve caused the car to bounce uncontrollably and the kids were all jostled awake in horror! I drove madly away as fast as I could all the while looking back in the rear view mirror hoping the MONSTER MAN wasn't behind......

I kept driving through the town, now wondering where I should stop because soon I would have no choice where to park. The gas light seemed to be echoing louder and louder in my brain. That's when I saw it...... A well light gas station on the other end of town. Still shaking from the terrifying experience, I pulled in and began to get out. That's when yet another man came toward me. This one seemed smaller and younger, but still suspicious. Ohhh.... I just couldn't take it. "What do you want?!?!" I yelled loudly. "To pump your gas ma'am". He replied softly. "I can do it myself!" I yelled back, trying to act big and tough. "State law says I must ma'am". The man replied quietly. Suddenly I felt rather sheepish...........................

I made it to my husband that day. Actually it was evening before I saw him. He was checked into a motel room, but gone at the fire so I had to wait until he got back. The kids and I unpacked and awaited his arrival anxiously. When he came through the door in soot covered nomax, it was the most wonderful sight in the world......................................

Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.